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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 9, 2006 20:29:33 GMT
Long was Rhiannon’s journey across the plains of Rohan. She’d always loved such a sojourn, but now without company and little change in scenery, the maiden was certainly ready for something new. The roan horse alongside her plodded along calmly, her ears pricked forward as she listened to all that needed to be heard -- which wasn’t much except for the occasional chirp of a bird or Rhiannon’s own soft words. She scanned the rolling land before them constantly, not wanting to be caught unaware if they were to draw near to something or someone.
That was when her eyes caught sight of some small dark object a good length away. Her brow creased in confusion, and she turned Antherne to walk nearer to it. It didn’t seem like the form of a human, or any other race for that matter, and the stillness of the object caused her to believe it was just that and not the wayward form of an animal or creature.
The stallion saw the object as well, and at first his steps wavered, not wanting to get any closer to such a strange thing. But Rhiannon urged him forward, calming him with gentle words, and the stallion regained his boldness. Slowly, they approached the dark shape, and when they were near enough, Rhiannon found that it was nothing but a lost saddle. A small sigh of relief escaped the maiden’s lips as she dismounted to look it over. Rhiannon ran a slender hand over the smooth leather, and upon discovering its quality, she wondered why anyone would have parted with it. Perhaps their load had been too heavy.
She stood from her crouched position and lifted a hand to her eyes, shielding them from the sun as she scanned the landscape. Sure enough, there was not a soul in sight. The saddle had been abandoned. Abandoned or forgotten. Either way, it seemed no one was coming back to reclaim it. With a casual shrug, an idea formed in her mind, and she lifted the saddle, heading toward the second horse with her. This piece of work was a great deal heavier, however, than her own saddle, and she struggled to get it up onto the mare’s back. Skillfully, she cinched it, made sure it was secure, and then remounted Antherne. And so it was that they were on their way again.
After a few more slow days of riding, the tall, pearly-white peak of Minas Tirith was visible in the distance. And ever it grew closer as the rode steadily on. When the reached the white gates, Rhiannon was anxious to get inside and safely deliver the horse. Then her own mission would be complete, and she was free to wander about as she pleased. Quickly, Antherne picked his way through the winding streets until they arrived at the stable. Rhiannon slid down from the stallion’s back and stabled both horses comfortably. The saddles she locked securely into a small closet between the two stalls. There they would be safe from the greedy hands that might seem to claim such pieces as their own.
When Rhiannon was satisfied that all had been completed in the best of order, she left the stable and combed her hair back from her face with her fingers. Absentmindedly, she drew her cloak a bit tighter about her shoulders and began to make her way through down the streets. There were many interesting things to see in such a great city, but she wasn’t quite certain as to where she would start. Perhaps, she’d just wander about a bit and an idea would come to her. Rhiannon nodded, confirming her idea, and she set of casually and slowly down the road of stone.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 1:10:07 GMT
Picking up the thief’s trail had been easy. The girl had made no attempt at back tracking or even in changing direction. Any seasoned thief would have thought of these details. It was painfully clear that this thief was an amateur. Thoven smiled to himself as the White City came into view. There, some distance ahead of him a lone rider made his way into the city’s massive gate. A lone rider with a magnificent roan mare in tow behind.
Without further ado he spurred his black stallion into a gallop. He had come this far and did not intend now to lose his bounty in the crowded streets of Minas Tirith. He reached the stables just as the thief entered. Dismounting, he picked a spot in the alley that suited him and waited for the thief to exit that he might spring his ambush.
What he saw next came as a shock. The cloaked figure finished putting the horses away before casually stepping out into the street and removing his hood. Or her hood rather. The thief was no more than a girl.
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 13, 2006 1:31:36 GMT
For the briefest of moments after Rhiannon had exited the stable, she hesitated. The chilling feeling settled over her that she was being watched. The maiden shook her head, dismissing the thought. There was no way that anyone could know she was here. Rhiannon refused to believe that she’d been followed. Rohan’s plains were too far and too wide. She would have seen a pursuer from miles away.
Folding her arms casually, the young woman continued her casual walk down the stone streets of Minas Tirith. Her dark eyes roved over the store fronts and carts that had been set up with all manner of goods displayed for purchase. If only she had a bit of money, Rhiannon might have gotten herself something. Her mouth watered ever so slightly as she passed a stand displaying a good selection of melons. Quickly, she moved on. The next stand contained handmade jewelry -- another item that caught her eager attention. Rhiannon looked the goods over for a few moments before moving on.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 1:53:19 GMT
Thoven followed the girl, watching from a distance, curious as to what her next move would be. Perhaps she would lead him to whomever had put her up to stealing the horse. If so, he thought, he might double the bounty.
He leaned against a post on the opposite side of the street watching the girl as she browsed tables of fruit, jewelry and the what not. He thought for a moment that she might steal something from these vendors, however, she moved on without taking a thing.
As the girl started moving on again Thoven blended back into the crowed and contiued trailing the girl from a distance.
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 13, 2006 1:59:17 GMT
Rhiannon lifted her eyes quickly, a second shiver running up her spine. The maiden cast her dark eyes around the crowd, but she spotted nothing out of the ordinary. She finally decided that she was overly paranoid. Quickly, the young woman combed her fingers through her hair, drawing her cloak instinctively tighter around her shoulders. Shaking her head, she attempted to return her attention to the carts and stands around her.
After a short while longer, Rhiannon sighed and turned from the market place. It would probably be a good idea to secure herself a room in one of the nearby inns before nightfall. She didn’t want to be caught with out a place to stay when darkness clouded the city. She wove her way through the crowded market place until the crowd began to lessen. Soon there were very few people at all meandering around her. It took such quiet surroundings for Rhiannon to realize how peaceful and serene the evening was becoming.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 2:14:27 GMT
As evening began to set in Thoven decided he could not wait any longer and chance having the slip away. He would have to be satisfied with apprehending just the girl and the horse. He approached her, quietly from behind.
"I hope you have enjoyed your stay here, girl, for your little holiday is come to an end." He stared at the girl with cold eyes as she spun around. "A man in Rohan wishes very much to see you. He'd like to talk to you about a horse."
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 13, 2006 2:22:31 GMT
Rhiannon whirled about in surprise at the sound of a masculine voice very close behind. Her eyebrows rose at his accusation, and she took a step back. A deep flush colored the woman’s cheeks. “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she quirked her head to the side, her dark brown eyes studying him intensely as she tried to determine the amount of danger behind his tone.
How could someone have found her so quickly? It wasn’t possible! Rhiannon should have known something like this was bound to happen. She never should have given in… The woman took a second step back, her eyes flitted over his shoulder briefly, hoping for some chance to slip by and escape from this awful nightmare.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 2:41:58 GMT
Thoven watched the girl's eyes dart back and forth looking for a place to run. He frowned, shaking his head ever so slowly. "I would advise against that, girl," He barked in warning. "You are comming with me, that much I can assure you." He furrowed his brow, "My temperment on the journey back, now that is in your hands, though, I would advise against making me cross."
With that he grabbed her, gripping her arm tighly in his hand to lead her back to the stables. She winced and pulled against him, though this only caused his grip to tighten more.
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 13, 2006 2:53:25 GMT
Rhiannon gasped as he grabbed her arm and began to drag her in the direction of the stables. She clenched her fists and struggled for a moment longer before realizing that such an act was futile. It only caused him to pull her harder. “No, please,” she pleaded. “You don’t understand! I can’t go back to Rohan…I didn’t steal that horse!”
The young woman’s eyes flashed with indignation when she realized that their destination was near. “We can’t travel now,” she stated flatly. “Darkness is falling.” She attempted once more to wrench her arm from his firm grip. “I’ll scream! Gondorian guard will come running from all over the city.” She watched him for a moment. “What right have you to take me? You don’t look like one of the Rohirrim.”
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 3:06:01 GMT
Having had enough of the girl's lip Thoven jerked her harshly into a dark side street and threw her against a wall. No sooner could she move than he had the knife to her throat. He leaned in close, giving her no room to wiggle free. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at the girl. "And just how loudly will you scream with a slit throat?" He pressed forward harder, "Hmmm?" He dared her to answer. "You are worth the same to me dead, woman. Think they care in Rohan how I deal with you?" He lowered the knife from her throat, only to lift his hand, grabbing her face to make her look him in the eye. Her eyes were now wide and her face pale in fear. "Have we an accord?"
It was more a warning than a question and just as swiftly as he had pulled her into the alley, he pulled her back to the street and started for the stables once more.
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 13, 2006 13:42:56 GMT
The air was knocked from Rhiannon's lungs as the fellow slammed her back against the wall. As he held her there, speaking harsh words, she met his glare with an equally venomous one of her own. And yet, she remained silent. There was no use in aggravating the fool. Her arm throbbed where he'd held so tightly to it, and she grimaced as he jerked her harshly back into the street. Certainly someone had seen -- she hoped someone had. Glancing toward the fellow, she studied him for a moment.
"How much am I worth?" She finally asked. Perhaps there was some way she could pay him the amount and get him to set her free. Though, if the price was high, perhaps she could work off her debt. Rhiannon had to try.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 13, 2006 14:07:41 GMT
Thoven laughed menacingl, "How much are you worth?..." He paused as he ushered her around the corner and into the stable. "If the bounty on your head is any indication, not even a tenth of what the horse is worth."
As they neared the roan's stall Thoven shoved her forceably in, pushing her forward and pinning her against the back of the stall. He pulled her arms behind her back and tied them tightly. When finished he whistled for his own black steed and made the girl climb atop it. When she was set Thoven drapped a dark cloak around her, concealing her bindings. Seconds later he had the roan mare tethered behind his stallion on which he mounted, sitting in front of the girl.
With a quick snap of the reigns Thoven's black steed lumbered forward. Without looking back he warned, "Do not force my hand, girl. Stay silent."
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Post by Rhiannon on Oct 14, 2006 15:29:19 GMT
Rhiannon winced as he shoved her hard against the stall and roughly tied her hands behind her back. She struggled to stay balanced atop the horse as the man urged his horse forward. The maiden was unaccustomed to riding a horse with her hands tied tightly and awkwardly behind her. As they road down the quiet streets of Minas Tirith, she leaned forward a bit and whispered into his ear, "I'll pay it. Whatever you were offered, I'll pay it to you." Certainly, this man wasn't acting out of his belief of right and wrong. Rhiannon could tell that he was only in it for the money. Perhaps if she could offer the same pay, he would consent and let her go free. She bit her lower lip, waiting to hear his response.
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Post by Thoven on Oct 14, 2006 17:18:06 GMT
Thoven laughed, not even turning his head in acknowledgment of the girl's plea. "As if you had the money, girl. Your bounty is in gold, not copper." He laughed more, realizing the girl hadn't a clue of trouble she was in. "Have you any idea whom you stole that horse from? Twas meant to be a gift to Rohan's queen from one of the land's finest breeders." He turned his head to her as they exited the city. "You can imagine his embarrassment when he could not produce the promised horse, can you not?" He turned back, prodding his stallion on a bit faster. "So, you see, even if you could pay - which I am sure you could not - I could hardly deny his lordship's desire for vengeance."
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Post by ~Tom~ on Oct 15, 2006 1:52:07 GMT
"Yo ho , yo noooooooooo, a bottle of rum it is, and the pirates of Umbar pillage the lands, for a bottle of rum and a jolly good time." came the very sober, but decieving tone of a man stumbling through the gates after the two, his sword in one hand swinging around mindlessly in the air as it caught the faint light of the moon on its blackened steel, he continued to stumble and trip, even singing as he occasionally hit the ground, though very rare the words could be made out as he had the bottle of rum of which he sang of in his other hand glued to his mouth as he continued to gulp its contents.
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